Nato response to russian invasion of ukraine

Brittney Griner ’s defense team has filed an appeal against the verdict that has sentenced the WNBA player to nine years in prison after she was f ound guilty of smuggling illegal narcotics into Russia , Griner’s lawyer Maria Blagovolina told CNN . In addition to the nine-year sentence, Griner was also fined $16,400. The sentencing and fine were handed down in a decision issued by Khimki city court Judge Anna Sotnikova on Aug. 4. While the judge maintains that the court took Griner’s partial admission of guilt into consideration, as well as her remorse and charitable actions, the U.S. State Department maintains that she is being wrongfully detained. “Today’s conviction and sentencing by a Russian court of U.S. citizen Brittney Griner to nine years in prison further compounds the injustice of her wrongful detention,” Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken shared in a press statement at the time. “This step puts a spotlight on our significant concerns with Russia’s legal system … [Read more...] about Brittney Griner’s Defense Team Appeals Russian Drug Smuggling Verdict Sentencing WNBA Player to 9 Years in Prison

Scottish comedian Jerry Sadowitz has hit back at his critics with a lengthy response after his Edinburgh Fringe show was cancelled by the famous Pleasance venue amid accusations of racism, homophobia and misogyny. The American-born stand-up, who’s known for his controversial and often shocking antics on stage, was said to have made a racist comment about Prime Minsterial hopeful Rishi Sunak and was also slammed for exposing his genitals during the Friday night routine at the Pleasance at Edinburgh International Conference Centre — the venue where the Edinburgh Television Festival will be held next week. The Pleasance cancelled the following night’s performance after receiving “numerous complaints” and released a statement saying his content “did not align” with its values. It has since released a longer follow up statement outlining its reasoning. Sadowitz has responded in a Twitter post saying the venue had made a “victim” by the Pleasance doubling down on its … [Read more...] about Comedian Jerry Sadowitz Hits Back At Venue And Critics After Edinburgh Fringe Show Cancellation: “My Act Is Being Cheapened”

The dreaded post-merger Warner Bros Discovery layoffs have reached the programming operation overseen by HBO and HBO Max Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys. Overall, 14% of staff — about 70 people — are being laid off Monday, the vast majority of them on the Max side. That includes in Max Non-Fiction Originals, International, Acquisitions, Casting and previously reported Live-Action Family Originals , which are all being either scaled back significantly or essentially eliminated, leading to the departure of the bulk of the the staffs, led by Jennifer O’Connell EVP, Non-Fiction & Live-Action Family Originals for HBO Max; Jennifer Kim, SVP, International Originals for HBO Max; Michael Quigley, EVP of Content Acquisitions at HBO Max; and Linda Lowy, EVP Casting for WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, TNT, TBS and truTV. I hear the layoffs are being done via video conferences this morning. The cuts are part of WBD leadership’s pledge to find at least $3 billion in savings. … [Read more...] about HBO/HBO Max Layoffs Hit Max Reality, Acquisitions, Casting & Int’l; Amy Gravitt & Sarah Aubrey Get New Duties In Reorg

Tubi continues to expand its adult animated programming, giving a green light to Breaking Bear , an adult animated comedy series from The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia director Julien Nitzberg, Creepshow producer Cartel Entertainment, and Blink-182 frontman Tom DeLonge’s To The Stars Media ( Monsters of California). Created by Nitzberg, Breaking Bear parodies the tropes of mobster dramas, comically combining elements of Yogi Bear with The Sopranos. It follows the escapades of three bear siblings who decide they have to start selling drugs in order to raise money and save their home after gas companies start fracking next to their cave. The bears soon enlist other forest animals in a scheme that will pit them against oil companies, The Russian Mafia, local Hell’s Angels and polar bears who hate anything that isn’t white. “When The Cartel pitched a series with cartoon animals as mobsters, I knew it was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” said Adam … [Read more...] about Tubi Orders Adult Animated Comedy Series ‘Breaking Bear’ From Julien Nitzberg & ‘Creepshow’ Producers & Tom DeLonge

EXCLUSIVE: UTA has added three agents to its Endorsements & Voiceover department: Garrett Smith , Maximillian Ulanoff and James Murray . Reporting to EVP partners and co-heads Brittany Balbo and Sam Stone, Smith and Murray will join the division in the Los Angeles office, while Ulanoff will be based in New York. “Our division is having a banner year and with the rapid expansion, we’re excited to welcome three incredibly successful agents to our roster,” Balbo said. “Each agent brings a variety of experience and skills that will help elevate UTA’s reach in the marketplace.” Smith most recently worked at Gersh, where he secured endorsements and voice-over campaigns for talent such as Eva Longoria, Kaley Cuoco, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kathryn Hahn, Joe Keery, Jacob Elordi and more. Ulanoff is joining from ICM Partners, where he oversaw branding for the Unscripted Television department, as well as consumer product licensing. Clients included Giancarlo Esposito, … [Read more...] about UTA Adds Garrett Smith, Maximillian Ulanoff & James Murray As Endorsements & Voiceover Agents

Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of Rolling Stone editors or publishers. Business consultants enjoy asking the question, “Who is your biggest competitor?” This is a question that elicits a common response. The person being asked the question inevitably responds with a name of a company that is in the same business industry. The person that is your biggest competitor doesn’t always have a physical presence. There is something else that is likely competing against you in business that you do not realize. Many people think that their biggest competitor is the person or company that is selling the same product or service that they are. The real competition is not the other person or company — it is the person looking back at you in the mirror. The person in the mirror has it out for you. That person is filled with fear and doubts. The person in the mirror is the one who could stop you from being successful. Yes, that person in the … [Read more...] about Who Is Your Biggest Competitor?